02-23-2004 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 23, 2004 • 7:00 o'clock p.m. (2. LINDA KOBLICK, COUNTY COMMISSIONER — PRESENTATION, Continued) pay lanes. She asked the Council to consider a friend on the Board and encouraged them to call her with their initiatives and resolutions. White thanked Koblick for maintaining the current number of water patrol deputies committed to protecting Lake Minnetonka and its users. He stated that this was a critical concern for the City of Orono. Koblick, in turn, thanked the Council for the Resolution which made it possible to present the need to the Board. White commented that the City is expecting great things for the Dakota Rail Trail and felt the appointment of Larry Blackstad as Commissioner of the Three Rivers Park District to be a judicious choice. He stated that they would be proposing a Resolution to move the Dakota Trail forward in the near future. As a large employer, Koblick commented that Hennepin County employs over 12,500 individuals. Sansevere asked Koblick if she was in support of increasing the tax levy to construct a new Vikings or Twins stadium in Minneapolis. • Koblick was hesitant to comment on the issue; however, stated that she believed in the public process and would expect public hearings to be held on the matter. She indicated that if the State seemed more willing to commit money to the initiative, she could see more agencies expressing a willingness to partner. The County Board did, however, pass a Resolution stating that it would participate with the government requests. • Sansevere asked how much she felt the County should put into it, noting that Minneapolis would be getting the most from a stadium downtown and commented that the proposed $7 million price tag to be absurd. Koblick agreed, stating that the Minneapolis metro area would benefit most. She stated that she was concerned by a public entity privately owned, and questioned why the Pohlads would not be required to provide greater support. Koblick stated that she did not vote to support the stadium resolution on the agenda, since it takes funding and attention away from important matters like helping the needy, the disabled, and the elderly trying to care of their aging grown special needs children. Sansevere asked what the timeline for the hot links traffic solutions would be. Koblick stated that the feasibility studies were being performed and the intent is to institute the program by December. Sansevere asked where she stood on the advent of gaming in Hennepin County as a funding option. PAGE 3 of 14